When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 72: Mother and Daughter Meet. He Is Waiting.

Mother and Daughter Meet. He Is Waiting.

The day of the parents teacher meeting had arrived.

Upon returning home, I collapsed onto my bed without even changing my clothes. Normally, Sajou-san would scold me for wrinkling my clothes, but she wasn’t here today.

She was in our classroom, the same place we took classes and ate lunch, talking with the teacher and her mother.

Honestly, I had considered staying at school and waiting, but she had told me to go home. So, I had no choice but to shuffle home with a frown.

Even after getting home, I couldn’t settle down. I felt like I had left my mind back at school. I kept tossing and turning on the bed.

“……～～っ”

I buried my face in the pillow, trying to release my frustration through muffled groans. The pillow trembled with my silent cries.

What’s happening over there?

Are they able to talk properly?

They’re not fighting, right?

The teacher is there, so it should be okay, but…

But can we really rely on that person?

Sajou-san said it would be fine, but…

Still, what if…

I couldn’t calm down, couldn’t find any peace. I scratched my body even though it didn’t itch, flailing my limbs and thumping the bed. I knew worrying wouldn’t help, but doing nothing was unbearable.

I didn’t even feel like playing games. I was almost ready to vent my nervous energy by running around outside and shouting when I heard the front door unlock.

I lifted my face from the bed and propped myself up like in a push-up. I dashed out of the room to greet Sajou-san, resembling a dog eagerly welcoming its returning owner. I grabbed the doorknob and then froze.

Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to show how concerned I was?

I thought about it. Maybe the discussion didn’t go well. If I bombarded her with questions the moment she walked in, it might seem like I was just being nosy, or worse, enjoying the drama.

Swallowing my curiosity and excitement, I took a deep breath to calm down. I needed to act cool and uninterested, waiting for her to bring it up if she wanted to.

Nodding firmly, I peeled my fingers off the doorknob like removing stickers, stepped back, and listened as the footsteps approached.

Trying to stay composed, I waited.

I collapsed onto the bed just as the door to the room opened.

“Rihito, are you here?”

“Y-yes…”

I managed to respond, but I had hit my head against the wall in my haste. Fighting the urge to cry out in pain, I strained to keep my voice steady.

“I see…”

I gripped the bedsheets, enduring the throbbing pain in my head. As I tried to act normal, I heard the creak of the door opening further.

The sound of feet shuffling on the carpet signaled that Sajou-san was entering and approaching me. She hadn’t even gone to the living room, coming straight to my room instead. Whatever had happened, she intended to explain it.

As I stared at the ceiling, my view was suddenly blocked by Sajou-san’s face.

“Wh-what?”

“……”

The bed creaked as she leaned over me, her presence filling my senses. It felt as if I was being pinned down, my eyes widened in surprise.

She placed her arms on either side of my head, trapping me. Her knees slid between mine, creating an intimate but tense atmosphere. Swallowing hard, I wondered if she was about to devour me. But then, her lips moved, and words tumbled out.

“Did you meet with that woman behind my back before the memo?”

“Ah, uh…”

Completely off the mark. It wasn’t an intimate conversation at all. Sajou-san was making it clear that she wouldn’t let me go until I answered. I realized I was a helpless prey trapped in a cage.

Her narrowed eyes left no room for lies. Realizing I couldn’t escape, I turned my head slightly within the confines of her arms.

“I’m sorry.”

“…Huh?”

As soon as I apologized, she pinched my cheek. It hurt, but it was also a gentle touch, a mix of pain and contact.

Allowing her to play with my face was my silent way of apologizing. She continued to pinch and stretch my cheeks.

“Hahnyo…?”

She pulled and twisted my cheeks, stretching them in all directions. Finally, she released them with a satisfying snap. Ouch.

“I’ll forgive you this time.”

Her words, though soft, hinted at her concern for me. I didn’t know what to say.

As I remained silent, she suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between our faces, our noses almost touching.

“But, like I said before, if it happens again, I won’t forgive you.”

I nodded vigorously. The proximity made it difficult to focus on anything else.

Her face was so close to mine that I couldn’t help but be hyper-aware of her presence.

I’ve always thought she was beautiful, but seeing her up close like this… it was almost overwhelming. Her long lashes, almond-shaped eyes, and flawless, porcelain skin left me in awe. Even though I had grown accustomed to her beauty, it still took my breath away.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I closed my eyes to calm myself. Maybe if I just waited with my eyes shut, she’d move away. But she didn’t. When I finally opened my eyes, she was still staring down at me with those deep, dark eyes, making me feel even more uneasy.

“Uh… could you move, please?” I asked, trying to sound polite. She didn’t respond.

I was stuck, and a nervous laugh escaped my lips. Just when I thought the silence would stretch on forever, she finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

“…I talked to her. I talked to my mother.”

Her words made my heart clench. It was a conversation I wanted to hear about, yet dreaded at the same time. What was the outcome? I held my breath, waiting.

“She asked if I wanted to live together again.”

My mind went blank.